The official Blog for bikewalklee.org. BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County, FL.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Comp Plan update review process continues; land use policies next

County staff and its committees continue to work through the
elements of the Comp Plan Horizon 2035 update, with focus on the land use element in February.This post reports on the Jan. 16th BoCC workshop on the Comp Plan; the schedule for land use element, and remaining review process; and highlights the "Town
Hall" online tool for participating in the review of draft
elements.

Report from BoCC Jan. 16th Workshop on Comp Plan

On Jan. 16th the County Commissioners held a workshop about the Horizon 2035 Comp
Plan update, where we've been, where we are, and where we're going. Frances Marino, the County's Comp Plan consultant, did an excellent job of outlining the key policy shifts in the Plan amendments under development, and Commissioners engaged in a good discussion about the issues.

Here are the key comments made by commissioners, as summarized at the end of the workshop by Marino: Need to estimate return on investment from amendments and their cost; think through how to refine the land use uses (example of medical and commercial office issue); need to streamline economic development process; look at how staff interprets policies and how attorney's office supports; look for methods to make transitions between urban/rural better; look at TDRs and how to preserve value of land; how to have less regulations overall; complete streets are great...make sure they're context-sensitive; and connections to 20/20 lands important.

Updated Comp Plan review schedule

The land use
element is the next major part of the Comp Plan to be reviewed.The draft element will be reviewed first by
the CSAC at its Feb. 20th meeting (Wed. 6 p.m.); and the LPA at its Feb. 25th
meeting (Monday 8:30 a.m.).Check the County's website in mid-Feb. to access the land use element when it is
posted. In March, the Glossary and Administration Elements will be reviewed, and then in April, the complete revised Lee Plan will be reviewed. The current plan is for a BoCC transmittal
hearing in April, with final adoption schedule for the Fall of 2013.

Online "Town Hall" OpportunityThe comment period for the transportation element has closed, but you can read what others posted. The land use element will be posted for comment after the Feb. 25th LPA meeting, so stay tuned. It's
up to YOU to become part of this exciting interactive community conversation!
Click here to read the earlier blog post about how to join the conversation.

About BikeWalkLee Blog

This is the official Blog for BikeWalkLee.org. BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County -- streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.